The Arsenal boss admitted the midfielder had suffered an Achilles problem in his recovery from a knee injury but the Spain international insists he will be back on April 1
Arsenal midfielder Santi Cazorla has refuted manager Arsene Wenger's claims that he has suffered a setback in his recovery from injury.
The 31-year-old ruptured knee ligaments in November and was originally expected to be back in March ahead of the final weeks of the season.
Wenger told reporters on Tuesday, however, that the Spain international would be out for longer than first feared after picking up an Achilles problem.
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"Santi is not doing too well," the Frenchman said. "He has some Achilles problems that hold him [back].
"His knee is doing well but his Achilles has inflamed a little bit and we have to put him off impact.
"It is a reaction to him coming back. We have to see now how he responds. He had always a little tendonitis on his Achilles and we have to see how he responds to that."
Despite these claims, Cazorla has responded by claiming that he is on track to meet his original return date of April 1 as the Gunnners look to secure silverware for the third straight season. Writing on Twitter, he said: "Surprised by the piece of news in press, deadlines are going as planned. I will be ready on 1st April #workinghard".
- Goal